Gengahr - Powder

Everything North London four-piece Gengahr have shared up to now shares one running trait: There’s a sinister, creeping sensation bubbling beneath the surface. Nobody calls a song ‘Fill My Gums With Blood’ without being able to balance good versus evil, and new single ‘Powder’ points to a band intent on being anything but a cushy, sweet sensation on the ears. This is raw to the extreme, even if Felix Bushe’s vocals coo, even when the melodies teeter towards major keys. Intentionally rough around the edges, ‘Powder’ leaves a sharp aftertaste. It stays in the system and leaves a permanent trace.

That’s in large part owed to guitarist John Victor, who essentially stampedes towards a fairly friendly song and wreaks havoc. It’s already common decency to compare his style to ‘The Bends’-era Jonny Greenwood, or a more ravaged Russell Lisack from Bloc Party’s ‘Silent Alarm’ days. ‘Powder’ is a song that toys with psych, maybe even the odd hint of Britpop, but it belongs on its own platform by the time its closing section steams through. Victor’s solo spans just over a minute, pouring hot acid over a pretty picture. If Gengahr really are sinister creatures, they’re manifesting this characteristic in brilliant ways.